Types of Licensing and Helpful Information

Preliminary License - A teacher license issued to a person who holds a bachelor's degree and has passed the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and met other eligibility requirements. (Preliminary Vocational Technical Teacher license is a teacher license issued to a person who has met certain educational, employment experience and for certain areas occupational license/certification requirements and passed a performance test and other required tests).

Valid for 5 years of employment

For people who have not completed Approved Educator Preparation Program

Initial License - An educator license issued to a person who has completed a bachelor's degree, passed the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure, completed a professional preparation program approved by the Commissioner, and met other eligibility requirements. (Initial Vocational Technical Administrator license is a license issued to a person who has a bachelor's degree and another educator license, certain employment experience and who has passed certain tests). (Initial Vocational Technical Cooperative Education Coordinator license is a license issued to a person who has a Vocational Technical Teacher/Administrator license or certain business/industry experience and who has completed an internship and passed a communication and literacy test).

Professional License - An educator license issued to a person who has met the requirements for an Initial license, completed a Performance Assessment Program or an appropriate master's degree program, and met other requirements. (Professional Vocational Technical Teacher license is license issued to a person who possesses a Preliminary license has completed certain college courses, employment and induction program requirements). (Professional Vocational Technical Administrator and the Cooperative Education Coordinator license is issued to a person who possesses an Initial license and who has completed employment and induction program requirements).

Temporary License - An educator license issued to a person who holds a valid license or certificate of a type comparable to at least an Initial license in Massachusetts from another state or jurisdiction, and who has been employed under such license for a minimum of three years but has not satisfied the Massachusetts testing requirements.

Valid for 1 calendar year

For experienced teachers from another state

Requires

3 Years teaching under Valid Out-of-State License

Possession of a valid educator license/certificate from another state/jurisdiction that is comparable to at least an Initial license in Massachusetts

Continuing Professional Development required to renew Professional licenses every 5 calendar years

44.06: Provisions applicable to licenses renewed on or after July 1, 2016

Professional development activities shall be identified by the educator and supervisor during the development of, and review of, the Individual Professional Development Plan in order to better support student achievement. Individual professional development plans must include at least 150 PDPs including:

At least 15 PDPs related to SEI or English as a Second Language.

At least 15 PDPs related to training in strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles.

At least 90 PDPs in the content area of the license or in pedagogy, with no less than 60 PDPs in or related to the content area of the educator's primary license.

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